POWYS’ last Barclays branch will close next month, but the bank’s building doesn’t look like it will be vacant for very long – with a local shop planning to move in.

High Street Stores & Builth Wells Post Office is making plans to move 15 metres down the high street to take over the Barclays building next door.

Barclays' Builth branch is shutting on March 6 and the convenience store, which doubles as the town’s post office, plans to take over at Crown Buildings, where it could expand and enhance the current services it offers.

The move is subject to a consultation period, which began today (February 8) and ends on March 21. The move would likely take place between April and May.

“As most of you are aware, unfortunately Barclays Bank will be shutting in March. With this news, we are hoping to move next door to the Barclays building,” read a post on the High Street Store's Facebook page on Wednesday.

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“This would mean picking up and moving everything next door, post office and shop; there would be more room for our customers to do their daily tasks.

“We have leaflets in the post office regarding these changes and we also have pop-up days in Barclays bank for our customers to have a chat with someone about the proposed changes.

“Please pop by and grab a leaflet if you're after any more information or ask a member of staff if you have any questions.”

The leaflet, available in store, provides comprehensive information on the reason behind the proposals, as well as full details of the consultation and how local residents can have their say.

“In this case, the postmaster has identified an opportunity to move Builth Wells Post Office into an alternative location to continue to offer Post Office services to the local community,” said Sarah Cottrell, network provision manager for Post Office Limited.

“Our postmasters operate Post Office branches alongside their private retail business, and it is important that they make the very best use of their resources to ensure future sustainability of both their business and the Post Office service.

“The proposed premises would undergo a refurbishment to incorporate Builth Wells Post Office and a convenience store.

“Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer term and the postmaster firmly believes that the move would help secure continued access to Post Office services locally, as well as supporting the viability of their business.”

Pop in to the Broad Street store to pick up a leaflet and find out more. You can share your views on the proposed change via an online questionnaire at postofficeviews.co.uk. Use the search function to find the consultation for this branch either by branch name, postcode or the unique branch code: 239644.

Alternatively, email comments@postoffice.co.uk or call 03452 660115.

Barclays said the closure of the bank was due to a drop in use, adding that less than 40 regular customers use this branch exclusively for their banking.

The closure, announced in December, will mean the closest Barclays branches customers in Powys are now able to get to are in Hereford and Carmarthen.

MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Fay Jones, called Barclays’ departure from Builth a “huge blow”.